All posts tagged auto care

Preventative Measures to Maintain Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

It’s important that you give your car regular, preventative maintenance to ensure that it runs well. If you ignore the preventative maintenance needed for your car, you could end up with more money owed in repairs than it would have cost for the maintenance.

Oil Changes

While you can check your fluids and fill them yourself, you might need a professional to perform an oil change unless you’re handy. There’s a dipstick that you can use to check the level and color of the oil in your vehicle. If you notice that you need to add oil frequently, you could have a problem. Oil that was recently changed that looks muddy could be cause for concern. There’s a lot you can learn about your engine by checking the oil. Your car manual should tell you how often you should get the oil changed.

Engine Air Filters

At the same time that your oil is being changed, you can have the person check the air filters. The engine air filter is used to keep dust and dirt from entering the valves. A dirty or clogged filter won’t allow air to enter the parts that need it the most, which can cause the car to stop running correctly. If you drive in the city for extended periods, the filter might need to be changed often. Check the owner’s manual for the exact mileage.

Tune Ups

When it comes to spark plugs, wires, hoses and engine, you should visit a mechanic for preventative maintenance. If you wait for a problem, you could end up with mechanical issues that won’t be resolved by changing your plugs and wires. Professionals, like those at Free Service Tire Company, also recommends changing your fluids regularly. That way, your engine will stay in good condition for a longer period of time. Mechanics can also perform the other tasks like oil changes and changing air filters too.

Tire Pressure and Wear

You don’t need someone to check your tire pressure, or to see that your tires are wearing down unevenly. You should keep your tires filled based on what the best pressure is for the brand of tires you have. When your tires are wearing unevenly, it could mean you need a front-end alignment or you need to have your tires rotated. It’ll help your tires last longer.
You should give your vehicle regular, preventative maintenance checkups to ensure that your car doesn’t need more expensive repairs later. It can be extremely dangerous to ignore your car’s maintenance needs or delay problems like leaks or unexpected sounds. It’ll cost you more time and money later to fix those problems that could have been prevented.

Six Signs It May Be Time To Replace Your Car, Rather Than Try To Repair It

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/02/29 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

As an automobile owner, there will come a day when you will have to decide whether to repair your current vehicle or replace it. Many times, repairing will be the logical choice, but this may not always be the case. Here are six situations where the advantages of replacing your vehicle can’t be ignored.

Current Repair Costs

The obvious tipping point in the debate to repair versus replace is when the costs to repair are more than the vehicle is worth. Whether this is because of a single issue or the cumulative cost of multiple repairs, spending more to fix a car than it is worth doesn’t make sense. That money would likely be better spent on replacing that vehicle.

Future Repair Costs

The same can apply to future repair costs. If a repair is only a temporary fix, the issue is likely to be recurrent or a series of major services are on the horizon it may be wise to compare the costs of all of those repairs to the costs associated with a new vehicle.

New Safety Improvements

It is understood that newer vehicles are often safer than older ones. As the science of vehicle safety moves forward, so do the available features. If your car has aged to the point that it lacks many of the safety features that are considered standard today, replacing may make more than just financial sense.

Upgraded Technology

Outside of safety, other technological improvements may play into your decision. Backup cameras, parallel parking assistance, hands-free connectivity to your smartphone and in-dash navigation may provide a lot of intrinsic value to you. If a newer technology solves a need, or allows you to get through your day more easily, it may make replacing the vehicle worthwhile.

Your Needs Changed

Many changes in circumstance can make a vehicle change more attractive. If your family has recently grown or shrank, you current vehicle may not make the most sense for your new lifestyle. Even if the size of your vehicle is fine, poor gas mileage may factor in.

Emotional Wear and Tear

Even when all of the logical reasons side with repairing a vehicle, that doesn’t mean it is the right decision. If using a particular vehicle has become frustrating to the point of affecting your wellbeing, replacing it may be the right move. Sometimes you have to do what feels right just because it makes your days feel brighter.

Knowing when it’s time for a new car can save you a lot of money in the long run. Just because you may need to replace car, it doesn’t always mean you have to spend a fortune on a new one. For example, you can find great deals on both new and used cars at Quebedeaux Buick GMC. Getting a new or used car that is more reliable and in better condition is a smart move.

Cocktail of Danger: How to Avoid Accidents on the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/25 in On the Road with Comments Off

Accidents on the road are frighteningly common, and you’ll never know when they will happen. But there are ways to diminish the chances of these accidents happening, and these tips could potentially save your life.

Drive Defensively

It is important when driving to remember that even if you do have the right of way, or the law is on your side in some other way, it will not matter in an accident. Make sure that you look beyond the laws of the road to avoid an accident. In a perfect world, everyone on the road would follow every traffic law, but this is not the case. Drivers run red lights, perform rolling stops at stop signs, exceed the speed limit, change lanes without signaling, etc. None of this can be prevented by you as another driver, you must simply recognize that this is happening and stay out of the way of a reckless driver who may cause you harm.

Limit Distractions

Although this may seem like a fairly obvious point, it’s a point which is lost on many new and experienced drivers. Make sure that when you get into your car, you put your cell phone and other pieces of mobile technology far enough away from you that you cannot reach it while driving. If you listen to the radio while you are driving, try to choose a station and then stick with that station. Moving your eyes away from the road for only a split second can have disastrous consequences. It is essential that you maintain focus on the road at all times. If you need to take or make a call, pull over to do so.

Use Your Mirrors

When driving, it is easy to only focus on what is in front of your vehicle, it is of utmost importance that you do not fall into this habit. The mirrors which are provided in your vehicle are there for a reason. You must know what is going on around your vehicles on all sides at all times. As difficult as this sounds, it becomes intuitive after falling into this habit.

Avoid Impairment

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only dangerous but a serious legal offense. While many people believe that they can have a few drinks and then drive home without issue, even light drinking can put one over the legal limit. Even if you stay beneath the legal limit, in Georgia you could be deemed "less safe" and charged with driving under the influence to the extent that you are less safe behind the wheel (learn more at http://athenscriminallawyer.com/). The best way to avoid this is to abstain from alcohol if you plan to drive later or call a taxi if you’ve been drinking and need to get somewhere.

Anticipate Every Possibility
When you drive, you need to foresee the actions of other drivers and pedestrians before they perform the action. It is also important that you see and recognize the behaviors of pedestrians, to make sure they do not accidently put themselves in peril of being struck by your vehicle. Make sure that your eyes are constantly moving around and assessing what could happen in the next few seconds.

Accidents on the road are a terrifying thing. They are unforeseeable, and they happen in a split second. Luckily for us, there are actions we can take to minimize the risk of being in a situation which could result in an accident.

Extend the Life of Your Vehicle: Tips to Keep Your Car in the Best Condition

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/08/13 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

With the high cost of both new and used vehicles, you want your car to last as long as possible. Taking care of your vehicles not only makes them last longer but can also improve their retail and trade-in value. Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle.

Maintain the Paint Job

You’d be surprised how many people turn their backs on reliable vehicles because they have some rust. Weather can do a lot of damage to your car’s paint job, especially if you don’t keep it in a garage. Keep your vehicle washed and clean during inclement weather, particularly if you live in states with salt on wintry roads. Wax your car when needed to protect the pain and keep your car looking great.

Keep the Interior Clean

Although the interior of your car has little to do with how it operates, it can affect retail or trade-in value significantly. Many people do judge how a car has been maintained under the hood with how it looks inside. In addition, keeping your interior clean can keep the upholstery and carpeting looking better and prevent tears and stains.

Get Regular Maintenance Checkups

Unless you’re a professional mechanic, you’re probably not going to be able to recognize a problem with the same swiftness as a mechanic. Regular checkups and tune-ups not only help repair damaged parts, but act as a preventative measure towards potential problems in the future, say the professionals at Minit-Tune International Corp. When you go to sell your car, having slips designated regular maintenance checks is a good selling point.

Maintain Your Tires

Keeping your tires properly inflated and in good working condition can prevent uneven wear and tear and can also prevent other parts from becoming damaged, which can result in higher repair costs. You’ll also get better mileage and a smoother ride.

Have Professionals Repair Your Vehicle

As much as we all like to repair things ourselves to save money, sometimes it’s just better to leave it to the professionals, especially if you don’t have time. There are several benefits to having professionals repair your vehicle. The main benefit is that they have diagnostic tools to help them determine the problem rather than doing a lot of unnecessary repairs just as a method of “process of elimination”. Also, when you have the repairs done professionally, they’re warranted.

Take Care of Problems in Their Early Stages

Early repairs usually mean smaller bills. In addition, if you fail to fix a problem in its early stages, it can develop into a large problem and a higher repair cost.

Maintaining your vehicle is important for many reasons but mostly to extend the life as long as possible. It’s a lot easier than you might thing if you make it a good habit.

Ways To Keep Your Car In Tip Top Shape Year Round

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/19 in Auto Care with Comments Off

Every year, the elements are working against your vehicle to fade your paint and to affect your vital system components. During the summer, UV radiation combined with increased summer heat and pollutants will eat away at your car’s beautiful finish. During the winter months, where temperatures are blistering cold, the sudden drop in temperatures can lead to glass breakage and to unnecessary wear on your tires and internal components. Investing in preventative maintenance all year long is vital if you want to avoid damage and preventable repair bills. Here are some tips to protect your car during the Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring:

Prepare Your Car For Colder Seasons

Winters can be harsh on vehicles. Just like you protect your skin from the blistering cold, you should protect your vehicle’s finish. There are several steps that car owners should take to winterize their vehicles. Be sure to check the antifreeze level in your battery so that your vehicle always starts, and have brake fluids checked before storms hit. In addition to this, All-West Glass Ltd., a company specializing in auto glass in Edmonton, recommends that you swap out your windshield wiper fluid with a liquid that will not freeze during freezing conditions.

Protect Your Car’s Finish From the Elements Year Round

To protect your finish from the road salt that is laid to combat the snow, you should invest in a good was and a fresh wax that will prevent corrosion caused by the sodium within the salt. Doing this will ensure that the wheel wells will not accumulate with salt either.

Prepare Your Car For Warmer Seasons

Spring will bring April showers that give way to May flowers and then blistering summer temperatures. Preparing your car for the Summer heat should start in Spring. Check the liquid in your heat to avoid evaporation which can drain your battery of power. You should also check your cooling system and add coolant to your radiator so that your engine is running at an optimal level.

Seasonal Tires to Avoid Hazards

As the temperatures rise, check your tire pressure monthly so that you can avoid over-inflation and blow outs. The rising temperatures can lead to blow outs as the air in the tires expand. Be sure to inspect the wheel well of your tires for defects before the asphalt gets hot, or you can face hazards on the roadways.

Go Easy When You’re Stuck

When stuck don’t repeatedly throw your car from forward to reverse. Spinning your tires at high speeds can cause a lot of heat and possible ruin your transmission, clutches, and differentials. If you are really stuck call a tow truck so you don’t end up spending a lot of money on repairs from working your car to hard to get it out.

Winterizing and summerizing your vehicle are essential steps that you must take to prolong the life of your fine piece of machinery. Be sure to keep your vehicle clean, inspect your car from top to bottom, and invest in preventative maintenance if your want your car to stay in tip top shape. The money that you spend will ultimately save you in the future.